one shouldn't ovelook that the KTMs are getting there -- both in the top 10. They could soon become the only manufacturer who's officially present and doing well in all 3 classes.

+1. The switch to the uneven firing order has been a revelation. I think I expressed before my amazement that a brand new prototype 1ltr motorcycle should run a screamer configuration...particularly in a steel duplex chassis. Was aghast when Ducati did exactly the same in 2003. The original M1 was a screamer too as was the Cube and the ZXR. Shove Akira Yanagawa on the latter and what could possibly go wrong?

Quote:

Originally Posted by danski

Rossi sounded confident in parc ferme , could be a good race between the Yamahas , looks like they have the pace for the win, hope Dani can fight through from row 5 as his lap times looked good.

The recent test by Yamaha was very prudent given the resurfacing. Massive advantage this weekend.

+1. The switch to the uneven firing order has been a revelation. I think I expressed before my amazement that a brand new prototype 1ltr motorcycle should run a screamer configuration...particularly in a steel duplex chassis. Was aghast when Ducati did exactly the same in 2003. The original M1 was a screamer too as was the Cube and the ZXR. Shove Akira Yanagawa on the latter and what could possibly go wrong?

The recent test by Yamaha was very prudent given the resurfacing. Massive advantage this weekend.

I'm still of the opinion the final hurdle KTM is going to have to surpass is to be on even ground with Honda and Yamaha...and that is far easier said than done given the sort of advantage they are working with...and have been working with for decades. Suzuki since the early-80s has only sporadically challenged that hegemony, and Ducati only ever managed it once successfully. KTM has good intentions of challenging those two, but as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

With that said, one thing is for certain, success is also going to be predicated on their ability to attract a top flight rider for I would say the 2019 season. Watching the engine firing order change have the sort of impact was a good step in the direction of putting together a package that can attract such a rider. My thought now is that I suspect Lorenzo will leave Ducati and go to the KTM for 2019 assuming they continue progressing throughout 2017 and through 2018. I believe Zarco is destined for Rossi's seat barring any major unplanned event that would close that off, so Lorenzo's best option could actually be KTM and not Suzuki.

Just seen that Miller crash ............. Fuck, and while it may be bad form, geez I saw some initial similarity to the Simoncelli crash in the way the front acted together with the right turn momentum, but hell that fence and the box his head hits ......... shiiiiit as we say down here.

Then, he gets up walks away (probably for an underwear change) and goes out in q2 and is quicker .................. and footballers reckon they are tough playing on with a hamstring twinge

As for the rest, well time will tell but I hope that Zarco holds his head together with the pressure of home race and gets a podium, any step

I'm still of the opinion the final hurdle KTM is going to have to surpass is to be on even ground with Honda and Yamaha...and that is far easier said than done given the sort of advantage they are working with...and have been working with for decades. Suzuki since the early-80s has only sporadically challenged that hegemony, and Ducati only ever managed it once successfully. KTM has good intentions of challenging those two, but as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

With that said, one thing is for certain, success is also going to be predicated on their ability to attract a top flight rider for I would say the 2019 season. Watching the engine firing order change have the sort of impact was a good step in the direction of putting together a package that can attract such a rider. My thought now is that I suspect Lorenzo will leave Ducati and go to the KTM for 2019 assuming they continue progressing throughout 2017 and through 2018. I believe Zarco is destined for Rossi's seat barring any major unplanned event that would close that off, so Lorenzo's best option could actually be KTM and not Suzuki.

I think KTM still have a very long way to go yet, they have only competed in 4 GP races with a best finishing place of 14th. GP is an enormous challenge for any team, they have made a good start don't get me wrong, but its not surprising given they have so many concessions and a huge factory budget to make every use of it. The season is still young, I think the big factory teams like Yamaha and Honda will see some considerable improvement before too long ... the "small/if any" performance advantage they have currenlty over Tech 3, MarcVDS and LCR won't last forever.

The Ducati was a challenging bike even for Casey Stoner .. nothing has changed there. Since 2007 it has struggled as years went on but I think in the last few years they are making some small but solid improvements to have a bike that is slowly becoming more consistently competitive with both of their riders .... baby steps.